Past President Teresa LeYung-Ryan here in Berkeley, but my heart is with you today.

I celebrate YOU!

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Thank you, President Carole Bumpus and commitee members, for all the planning and orchestrating our branch’s 50th anniversary!

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The 1997 Jack London Writers Conference brought me into your world. I can still see Jean Stoner Rieth (pronounced “reeth”) with her instamatic camera taking photos of the contest winners. My entry had won second place in the novel category.

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Jean, along with Mary Collins Dunne, Lois Druhan, Fran Kearton, James McLaughlin, Howard Krauss and Barbara Foley were my mentors when I was a new member.

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When they said: “Teresa, we want you to be our newsletter editor. What do you say?” … I said “Yes! Thank you for believing in me.”

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I have said “Yes!” many times since. Our branch has had brilliant presidents, board members and committee members.

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Saying “Yes!” to working alongside people who care about me as a writer has led to precious friendships over these 19 years. I am so thankful.

P.S. A special shout out to my presentation partners and pals – Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson, Elisa Sasa Southard, Mary E. Knippel, and Margie Yee Webb – the CWC network had brought them to me! I am so thankful!

February 20, 2016 Redwood City, CA

Teresa LeYung-Ryan (Past-President of California Writers Club – SF Peninsula Branch) will be attending the branch’s 50th anniversary party to celebrate her colleagues and the memories of her mentors. http://www.cwc-peninsula.org